Residents glad for start of class

Upon hearing that the students would be returning to class Monday for the start of school, several residents said they were relieved, but said they would rather see a permanent return.

"I am glad to be going back," said 14-year old Kirsten Gnagy.

Though the teen said she was happy with the decision, many adults said the move was just a delay.

"I am glad to see that they are not striking now, but they probably will in due time," said resident Seth Magliocca. "I don't like to see it, because you know that it is hurting the children's education with the interruption."

Resident Dean Emerick has three children in his household that will be going to school on Monday.

"The smallest one is in second grade and she is excited to go," he said. "But, she will go for a couple weeks and then be home for a month. What kind of start is that?"

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Emerick said in his opinion, much of the disagreement is focused on money.

"They can go on strike, and the district should fire everyone and hire new," he said. "People can't afford to pay to keep them here."

Resident Christine Trent agreed.

"I have three properties in the district and I can't handle the tax increases," she said. "And for the rental properties, I have no other choice to pass that onto the tenants and they can't afford that."

Both Trent and Emerick admitted that they have put serious thought into selling their properties and relocating to another school district with lower taxes.

"It is getting to the point where you have no other options," Trent said. "They are not going to settle and they want more than what the community can give."

Trent said the teachers should take that to heart.

"Because of that, I think that if they want to be paid more and get better benefits than the rest of us, they should look for a job in another school district that can," she said. "Living here and keeping a job in Somerset County now is tough."

She added that she has seen much of that visibly around town.

"I see more and more houses up for sale each day," she said. "People just can't handle the burden."